by Harmony Grey
It almost felt as if he’d disappeared off the face of the earth overnight. My dad stopped talking to his dad and my mom—well, she refused point blank to even have either of their names mentioned in the house, and my dad was more than happy to go along with it.
I was young and super curious. I was desperate to know what had happened to my best friend and why he wasn’t around anymore, but back then I just didn’t have the balls to stand up and ask about it. If I’m being honest, I was so done with the constant shouting which always followed the fall out and I was so tired of seeing my mom so upset all the time.
In the end I decided it was best just to let it go. What will be will be, and like my father said, if Rodriguez was truly my friend then he wouldn’t have abandoned me the way he did. Our parents probably fell out over something stupid anyways. Plus, I soon found out that Rodriguez hadn’t gone far. His father had moved them across the river to the next town—the only thing separating us was the water and an ancient bridge. He could have reached out if he really wanted to. But he didn’t. Instead, he acted like I’d never existed.
I think we both know that things didn’t need to get awkward between us if we didn’t want them to, and for a while it almost felt like Rodriguez and his father never existed too. Well, that was until Rodriguez thought he was old and bold enough to cross over the river to Manorcroft with some of his guys.
I tried to be the bigger person and I ignored him at first. It was much easier to deal with that way. I had my guys, and he had his. There was no reason why this needed to become a problem, but as usual Rodriguez had other ideas.
That motherfucker obviously thought his balls had grew some when they finally dropped because before long his visits across the river became more and more frequent. Like there was something here that belonged to him. The only thing I can think of is that his dad must have filled his head with an endless amount of bullshit over the years because the next thing I knew he was trying to stake a claim on my territory like I fucking owed him something, with a massive fucking chip on his shoulder, acting like every bad thing to ever happen in his life was my fault.
“Are you sure that’s what he said?” I finally ask while pacing Ryder’s small bedroom, my mind trying to process what he’s just told me.
“Yep. According to Chase he was loud and proud, shouting his mouth off down at Billy’s last night.”
“Billy’s?” What the fuck. Rodriguez is definitely signing his own fucking death warrant, for sure. Not only is he jumping across the river shouting his mouth off, bad mouthing me to anyone who will listen, but now he’s trying to get his feet under the table at Billy’s Bar and Grill.
Not fucking happening. Billy’s is my place and that’s where the Manor Cats go to hang out and relax after coach has put us through our paces.
“How did he find out about Billy’s?” I ask and I watch in disbelief as all the color drains out of Ryder’s face. “What is it?” I demand, and I can feel my chest begin to tighten. Obviously, someone else is going behind my back. “Don’t hold back on me, man.”
“He was with Taylor and they weren’t shy about being seen out together either.”
I stop pacing and ball my hands into fists. My jaw clenches and I can feel an inferno of emotions bubbling at the surface. I have no idea what’s going on here, but my guess is something must have triggered him to come back over here. But the only problem is I have no fucking idea what that trigger could be.
“Tell me what you’re thinking.” He asks and I know he’s beginning to worry about what this will do to my mood. When I don’t say anything, he steps closer to me, and slowly the rage fueled mist shifts a little. My mind is going crazy. I’ve got so much spinning around up there that a sudden sense of nausea washes over me and almost brings me to my knees.
I fall down onto the bed, trying to think up a quick plan of action to remove Rodriguez from my life, but I can’t think straight. I need to make sure I plan my next move carefully. I need to make sure this stays between me and Ryder for now. From what I’ve heard it seems like Rodriguez is trying to scurry back into Manorcroft. That motherfucker is trying to get his feet under the table and it sure looks like he’s trying to take everything which already belongs to me.
This isn’t just Rodriguez trying to pass time because he’s bored or some crazy-ass phase he’s currently going through. No… this is personal. Rodriguez is making a personal attack on me, and there’s no way in hell that I’m just going to stand back and take it like some soft ass pussy. Not a fucking chance.
I look down at my watch and see it’s only just gone eight. “You think he would have stopped by Billy’s tonight?”
“Chase didn’t say, but I guess we could always drive down there and check it out.”
I didn’t need telling twice.
I jumped up, grabbed my black and gold varsity jacket and headed straight for the door.
Rodriguez is taking things too far this time and I’m not going to sit back and allow him to destroy what’s mine. A thought occurs to me—I wonder if my dad knows that he’s been sniffing around Manorcroft again? I guess it doesn’t really matter what my father thinks. I quickly push that thought to the back of my mind because it’s pointless wasting my time on energy on either of them and I’d much prefer it if my mind was a father free zone right now.
“Here…” Ryder shouts out from behind me, hot on my heels as always and throws me the keys to his truck.
“What? You’re not coming with me?” I raise a questioning brow at my best friend and the son of a bitch laughs back at me.
“Obviously. I just thought it would be better for you to drive. It might give your mind something to focus on.”
He’s got a point. I can’t think of anything worse than riding shotgun while my mind’s going crazy, slowly driving myself wild with erratic thoughts. Ryder knows me too fucking well.
I walk around to the driver’s side and climb in, not wasting a moment and I make quick work of starting up the engine before putting my foot down on the gas. It’s high time I find out what this prick wants because he’s obviously sticking around for a reason, and I want to know what that reason is. I don’t even know how I’ll act if I find him all cozied up with Taylor when I get there. I try to shove that thought out of my mind for now too.
Maybe if I caught them both in the act, I’d be able to kill two fucking birds with one stone.
The drive to Billy’s is a quiet one. Ryder doesn’t even attempt to strike up conversation with me. He’s known me long enough to know that small talk really isn’t my strong point, especially when a tsunami of emotions is building up inside me. He’s also wise enough to know that I’ll talk when I want to and only if there’s something that I want to say. He gives me space when I need it which is more than anyone else has ever done for me.
The clouds start to roll in as I drive down by the river, and the rain begins to fall, landing with big splashes on the windscreen. Someone up there is obviously feeling my mood right now.
It’s dark down by the river, and the trees that surround the banks block out any lights from the buildings and the roads which pass through. No one comes down here unless they have to, and when they do there’s always an accident of some kind. I’m guessing this is why it developed its nickname—Hell’s Gate.
I’ve never experienced any issues here and so far, I’ve never been involved in an accident, but a lot of people from this town avoid it at all costs. Especially when the sun goes down. The riverbank ends with an old iron gate which leads to a rickety bridge which serves as the only crossing to the next town over. Rumors say it’s been haunted for centuries and those who cross over the bridge under the moonlight lose a piece of their soul to the demon’s below. Maybe that’s why I haven’t suffered any consequences because I don’t have any soul left.
Nah. I call it bullshit. The generations before us probably used it as some kind of scare tactic to stop the people of Manorcroft mixing with the people of Cold Water. Some people
believe and kudos to them, but personally I haven’t got time for any of that bullshit.
I take a sharp turn, one I’m familiar with and I kill the engine when I reach the parking lot behind Billy’s. I have no idea if Rodriguez will be here but it sure as hell won’t hurt to find out.
“What are you going to do?” Ryder finally asks and I almost forgot that he was here with me. Silence surrounds us and the only sound is the rain falling harder around us as it starts to pound down on the truck, each one replicating the loud thud of my heart as adrenaline starts to course through my body.
What am I going to do?
The truth is, I have absolutely no idea and I probably won’t until I come face to face with him. I don’t even know what I want to say to him. But one thing that I’d love to find out is why he’s decided that now’s the time to branch out into my territory and why he’d choose to make a move on my girl while he was here. Surely the two can’t be coincidence.
Eventually, after what feels like a lifetime, I turn my head to face Ryder and I can see him watching me closely. He’s nervous that much I can tell. He’s never been one for confrontation, yet he knows better than anyone that I’m a hot-headed son of a bitch and there’s not a lot of people who can hold me back when I get going.
“I don’t know, man.” I confess and my hands grip the wheel as I try to keep my head on my shoulders.
“All right… say you walk into Billy’s now and see him there. Do you reckon you’d be able to keep your cool or do I need to arrange for back up?” He laughs but I can hear the edge of caution in his voice.
“Quit with the dramatics. I’m just going to walk in there and try to find out what’s happening. If he hasn’t got anything to hide, then we’ll be in and out of there in no time.” I slap my best friend on the shoulder, hoping he understands that I’m not intentionally dragging us both into a battlefield. “I just want to know why he’s here and why he’s got a sudden interest in Taylor.”
Ryder whistles and shakes his head at me. “Seriously?”
“What?”
“You’re not really thinking about going back there. Are you?” Now it’s my turn to laugh. “Fuck bro. That chick has humiliated you in front of everyone and she still went back there. I’ve got a feeling Taylor’s gonna try to play you both. You need to be careful, is all I’m saying.”
My chest instantly tightens at the unwanted reminder of Taylor’s betrayal. I really don’t want this to affect me, but I guess I’m only human and it’s not like I have the power just to switch off my feelings.
“Don’t be fucking talking crazy.” I spit out. “Me and Taylor are done. Trust me, there’s no way on this earth that I’d ever go back there. Not now, not ever. I don’t do second chances.” I never have and I never will, and there’s no way I’m about to change it.
“Whatever you say, man.” His hands fly up in surrender, but his eyes are still narrowed, his brows knitted together, and I know there’s a part of him which doesn’t believe me.
It’s time to get this show on the road. “Are you gonna sit here watching me all night or are we going to head inside and find this motherfucker?” I demand, just before opening the door and climbing out of Ryder’s truck. I breathe in deep through my nose while focusing all my attention on Rodriguez.
CHAPTER TWELVE
KANE
Billy’s is pretty busy when I step through the doors and I instantly welcome the warmth. Outside is fucking freezing and my cock went from hot to not in a nano-second. And no one likes a fucking bullet dick, that’s for sure.
“Yo, Egan.”
I hear Chase call over to me and he comes rushing over to me like somethings about to catch fire. His eyes are wide, and I know something’s up as soon as he comes to a stop before me. His face is flush, and his breathing is ragged. Panicking much?
“Chase.” I acknowledge him but I’m not here for small talk, so I try to shove him to the side and look passed him, but the motherfucker keeps on trying to get my attention.
“I didn’t know you’d be here tonight.” He sounds nervous as fuck and my senses switch to high alert.
“What would it matter if I’m here or not?” I quiz him and I don’t even try to mask the suspicion in my voice. Chase needs to remember who the hell he’s talking to. He also needs to remember that I’m the reason he’s privileged enough to wear his black and gold Manor Cats jersey. And if I wanted to, I could rip it clean off his back and there’d be fuck all he would be able to do about it.
Now I’m not saying the kid doesn’t have talent, because he does, but I know, and he knows that he’d be nothing without me.
“Nah, no reason. You just didn’t mention it is all.”
“That’s because I don’t need to mention shit to anyone,” I’m quick to remind him and he flinches back as my temper rises. Ryder must sense it too because he quickly appears in the middle of us, throwing up his hands as he tries to retain the peace between us.
“Chase, man, why don’t you go and get us some drinks or something…” Ryder tries his best to remove the kid from the scene but it’s too little too late. The damage has already been done. The seed of doubt has been planted and now I want to know why the son of a bitch was acting all sus as soon as he saw me.
Before I’ve even had a chance to open my mouth the truth appears before my very own eyes. Rodriguez comes up behind Chase and claps him on the shoulder, like the two of them are the best of fucking friends. What the fuck have I walked into here and when did people start going behind my back? Obviously, I’ve taken my eye off the ball one too many times.
Licking my dry lips, I bite down on my bottom lip and stuff my hands into my jean pockets. It’s best I keep them busy and engaged somewhere else, so I don’t end up smacking Rodriguez right in his smug looking face.
“Have I missed something here?” I call out to the traitors stood before me, and my voice comes out as a vicious growl. I feel fucking murderous right now. I notice that Ryder and Chase are both wise enough to take a step back. “What the fuck are you doing here?” I demand, zoning all my anger and attention directly at Rodriguez.
“Jeez, Kane. It’s sure good to see you too.” He grins back displaying a perfect set of white teeth, and I struggle to keep my hands busy.
“Fuck you and your bullshit,” I warn him, fast losing patience. “I haven’t got the time for it so how about you do yourself a favor and tell me what you want instead of wasting your time running around playing stupid little games.”
It’s crazy watching him. Many years have passed yet he still looks the exact same as I remember him. Smug, and totally fucking full of himself. It’s hard to imagine how we would have been now if we’d actually grown up together.
“I’m not the one playing games, Kane.” A look of fake innocence creeps onto his tanned face, only I don’t buy his crap for a second. “I thought Chase would have told you the good news by now.” He turns his attention to Chase and narrows his eyes at him, “at least that’s what he was supposed to do.”
I watch the two of them with increased interest and I don’t miss Chase’s eyes as they sheepishly drop to the ground. What a fucking pussy. This guy—my guy—doesn’t even have the balls to look me straight in the face.
“What’s he talking about?” I shout but Chase still refuses to look at me. His traitor eyes are still downcast like a naughty little schoolboy who’s been foolishly caught in the act. And that’s exactly what he is—a fucking fool. “Fucking look at me when I’m talking to you.” I don’t know how I’m managing to stand here without tearing him a new one. Finally, after what feels like an age Chase finally snaps his head up to mine while holding his pussy-ass hands up in surrender.
“Egan, this has nothing to do with me. I swear.” He pleads and I can’t help thinking that he’s not such a big boy now, is he?
“Too fucking right it is.” Does he really think I’m stupid enough to fall for his pathetic lies? “You’ve been going behind my back and hanging out with
this waste of sperm.”
Rodriguez laughs and it echoes out around us. I’m conscious of heated eyes all around us, burning into us while they wait patiently to see how this will unfold. It doesn’t matter to me. Let them fucking stare, I say. Nothing else matters right now except me finally wiping that smug ass look from Rodriguez’s face.
“So, this is all some kind of joke to you then?” I narrow my eyes and all I want to do is reach out and swing for him. I’m amazed I’ve managed to keep my hands by my side for all this time. “Do you find this funny?”
“You know something… I do.” He laughs some more, and my body tenses, preparing for an attack. It’s clear to see that this guy gives zero fucks. Rodriguez is full of bravado but we both know that this is only for show. “I don’t know what your problem is, bro…”
“I’m not you’re fucking bro so how about we get that right first of all.” I hiss, and I’m almost frothing at the mouth. I feel Ryder step behind me, and he clamps his hand on my shoulder, holding me back to stop me from diving on this prick, but I’m quick to shrug him off. I don’t need anyone to help me out or hold me back. This battle is between me and Rodriguez and I say it’s high time we ended it once and for all.
“I’m just trying to have a good time. I didn’t know you’d get so worked up by it. But then I guess you’ve always been too much of a bitch.”
Man, he’s pushing me, for sure. I look around and see everyone zoned in on us. Do I really want to give them what they’re after? Maybe but it’s only right that I give Rodriguez fair warning. “Seriously, Rod, if you know what’s good for you then you’ll turn around and crawl back over that river where you belong.”